What Has Obama Done To Support Mountain Bikers?
by Walker Thompson on June 15th, 2009
Aren’t we a large part of the voting public? Doesn’t our voice matter? If you voted for Obama, then maybe you’re like me: I totally support the man, and I’m keeping tabs. One key issue that I’m concerned about is saving our trails and mountain bike access. Here’s the record, that I’ve found:
According to Wired Magazine, who gave Obama an A-, he’s doing some of the right things from an environmental perspective. But, I had to keep digging to find out more. I recently found this website, www.sustainlane.com, that reviews just about all of Obama’s actions on sustainability and the environment. OK, but nothing about trails… Hmmm… Finally, after a few more minutes, I found something: A Public Lands Omnibus Bill signed by Obama. Have you seen this?
And then this showed up on my radar…
Mountain bikers are buzzing about a $600,000 federal funding appropriation to expand Paradise Royale, a purpose-built mountain bike trail in California’s King Range National Conservation Area (NCA). The funds derive from the 2009 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R.1105), which became law on March 30, 2009, (P.L. 111-8). The appropriation follows years of work by IMBA California Policy Advisor Tom Ward, who lobbied representatives in both the House and Senate.
Well, this last one just sealed the deal for me. If I had to rate Obama on trail issues alone – THUMBS UP DUDE!
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Unfortunately mountain bikers take a back seat to more powerful lobbying groups like the Sierra Club who are more established in the Washington BS scene. Sure Obama threw mountain bikers a scarp with one mountain bike trail and $600,000 but in the same bill you site he made 2 million acres of land “wilderness” which means that it is completely off limits to bikes, even if there where established trails and roads on that land. The wilderness act is the Sierra Club and other extreme groups way of blocking people from being in the mountains.
In reality no matter how IMBA try’s to spin it one trail and under a million dollars in a trillion dollar bill is less then scraps off the table. Like any politician he will give the most to those who help him the most, that isn’t mountain bikers. IMBA has been on my list for a while, they support “environmentally minded” politicians who end up as in this case actually limiting bike freedom in the mountains.
My vote, two thumbs down. Two thumbs up for IMBA though in trying to convince everyone they are effective lobbyists.
Interesting points Clint. I did see that wilderness had been added to the bill… My argument here would be that with less than 150 days under his belt, I’m willing to bet that more will be done to support conservation and trail access.
You’re right to point out that IMBA is on our side and we need to do everything we can to support them!
Last night I sent an email to my senator/contressmen via the IMBA site. I suggest we ALL DO THE SAME!!!
Interesting comment back here… I’ve talked with several other folks in the MTB community and there has been some consensus. All are expressing a “wait and see” attitude. Hmmm…